Combined pump and reservoir for centralized lubricating systems



E. W. DAVIS Nov. 9, 1937.

coMBiNEn PUMP AND RESERVOIR FOR CENTRALIZED LUBRICATING SYSTEMS Filed April 1, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l E. W. DAVIS Nov. 9, 1937.

COMBINED PUMP AND RESERVOIR FOR CENTRALIZED LUBRICLATING SYSTEMS Filed April 1, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 06m??? 'nesi v 3 y i a; w 4% a Z M fl 2 \C 9 XX\ \iw MM. C 1 .l M a a 4 w m W a W \\E\\\\\ i N H w 1 \W\ 1 a x m A 8 5 0 0 6 2 J 2 6 M R m w 1 1 Nov. 9, 1937.

E. w. DAVIS v 2,098,570

COMBINED PUMP AND RESERVOIR FOR CENTRALI ZED LUBRICATING' SYSTEMS Filed April 1, 1929 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 LV/ZI/eIZZZr (9793655 Z Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES- PA PF [C E poration, Chicago, Ill.,

giniar a corp'crationfof" Vir ApplicationApril 1, 1929, Serial No; 351,694

24 Claims.

A-further object isto providexan improved in-v ertia operated mechanismior actuating a pump.

A further object is to provide an improved pump- I cylinder structure.

A". further object is to provide a unitary pump and reservoir installation particularly for centra'lized lubricating systems which is of simplifiedconstruction;..may; .be easilyassembled; is ruggedais sensitive to' small vibrations,.and which 20' may'beeconomically manufactured.

. Other objects-will appear from the following descripti'omtreference being had to theaccompanying. drawings, in which Fig: l is a;=side elevation of the pump and reservoir-unit as it maybe-installed for automotive chassis: lubrication;

Fig-. 2-is a central vertical section of the pump and: reservoir unit taken on the line 2-2 of Fig.3;

Figm 3' is. a transverse sectional view of the pump mechanism taken on'the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, part sthereo-f beingvshown in fragmentary section;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the pump take-non the'line'4-'-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig; 5 is a similar section taken on the line 5--5 of-Fig. 2';

Fig 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of I the unit taken=on-aplane at right angles to the plane of the section shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig.7" is a transverse 'section taken on the line T-"l' ofrFig', .6.

Thepump'and reservoir'unit of my'invention is particularly'adapted for use as a lubricant supply installation for' centralized lubricating systems used on" automotive vehicles or othermachines-in which a part normally has a vibratory motion and is adapted to force small measured 50 charges of lubricant to the bearings of the system inaccordance with the frequency of the vibrations.

The=pump comprises abody III which is preferably a die casting and has a supporting flange 5542 cast integrally therewith. The flange I2 is (01. is i ze)" suitably drilled as at I4 to receive studs or bolts by which the unit maybe attached to any suitable parteof the" vehicle or machine such as the dashboard I 6- shown? in' Fig. 1.

A body ID has an externally threaded upward- 5- ly projecting-flange. I8- to which a cover 20 is normally securedand an internally threaded annular downwardly projecting flange 22 to receive a glass reservoir 24.- Theupper edge of the reservoir 24 sealsagainst a gasket-26 and the reser- 101 voir is-prevented from unscrewing from the body by a locking. wire 28 which rests in a groove 30 formed in the reservoir and has a hook end 32 passingthrough a-hole 34 formed in the downwardly projecting flange 22 The'other end 36 of. the locking: wire 28 is bent over to fit into asocket 38 formed inthe end'of a-screw 40 thread.- ed in the body. Thusby tightening the screw thelocking-twire 28" maybe tensioned anddrawn tightly into; the groove 30, thus preventing the reservoir 24 from becoming loose. a

Power for operating the pump, as previously mentioned, is derived from the vibratory movement'of the vehicle or machine upon which the pump is mounted. The mechanism for utilizing such movementto operate the pump comprises a weight 42 composed of a plurality of: laminations44 which aresecured to a plate-46 by rivets 48. The plate 4B-has a pair of downwardly projecting ears 5|] through which a pin 52 passes, the pin being supported by a pair of lugs 54 formedintegrally with thebody Ill. The plate 46 is thus hingedfor free pivotal movement about the pin 52.

The pivotal movement of the plate 46 is limited by a pair of washers 56, 58 supported by av stud B0, the-stud-beingthreaded in the body I0. The stud has a reduced portion 62 and at its upper end is tapered so'as toprevent downward movement of the washer 56. is-heldin place=by a-washer 64,-alock-washer 65} and a'screw 68,. the-latter being threaded in the reduced portion 62 of the--stud;- The washers 56 and 58 are preferably made of a'relatively soft compressible material, such as leather, so as to 5 form buffer stops for the'plate 46 which has-an opening 10' through which the reduced stud portion 62 projects,

The plate is normally held in intermediate position between the washers 56 and 58 (such as shown in Fig. 2) by a spring I2, the lower end of which is: centered by an apertured boss 14 formed in the body l0 andthe upper end of which abuts against an inverted cup shaped spring seat 16.

The washer 56 a strainer.

stem 84 extends downwardly through a tube92 which is secured to the body I0 by a threaded flanged sleeve 94. A thin washer 96 fitting closely about the stem 84 and resting upon the sleeve 94 prevents dirt and foreign matter from getting into the tube 92. The lowerend of the stem 84 has a horizontally bent end portion 98 to which a plunger I is pivotally connected. The portion 98 is perpendicular to the end portion 86 so that the stem 84 is in effect a universal connection between the screw 88 and the plunger I00. I I

The'plunger I00 has a reduced portion I02 operating in a cylindrical bore I04 formed in the cylinder block I06. The block I06 is threaded in a head I08 and the latter in turn threaded to the lower end of tube 92. The lower end of the cylinder block I06 has a recessed chamber H0 in which an outlet check valve H2 is located, the valve being held againstits seat by a spring H4. The cylinder block has a transverse saw slot II6 which forms the inlet passageway for lubricant.

The tube 92 is externally shouldered at [I8 to provide an abutment for the flanged top I20 of The strainer preferably comprises a cylindrically shaped wire mesh screen I22 which is securedto-the top I20 and bottom I24 by crimping the edges of the latter over the screen I22. The bottom I24 rests upon the head I08. The top and bottom of the strainer are held separated by a-plate I28 bent so as to be substantially triangular incross section. This plate has suitable apertures I28 for the flow of lubricant. The tube 92 has a plurality of inlet ports I30.

The head I08 is axially counterbored to form a chamber I32 having at its upper end a port I34 which is normally closed by a spring pressed ball check valve I36. A plug I38 is threaded in the end of the chamber I32 and forms'a seat for the spring of the check valve I36. A passageway I40 forms a means of communication between the chamber I32 and a conduit I42 which is secured to the head I08 by a suitable coupling bushing I44. The conduit I42 extends upwardly and is connected to a passageway I46 formed in the body II) by a suitable nipple I48 and bushing I50. The passageway I46 extends outwardly through aboss I52 to which, in the illustrated embodiment of my invention, a T I54 is connected. Suitable conduits I56 leading to the various bearingsof the system 'are connected to the T I54. A suitable resistance fitting I58 is preferably provided at each bearing I60 to apportion the lubricant supplied by the pump among the different bearings;

By removal of the cover 20 the receptacle 24 may readily be filled with lubricant and during this operation the parts of the mechanism will be thoroughly lubricated. Any air within the strainer I22 willpass out through the upper ports I30 and tube 92.

, Whenever the vehicle or machine upon which the" unit is mounted is moved in any direction having a vertical component, the weight 42 Will be oscillated and through the stem 84 reciprocate the plunger I02. In normal position (shown in Fig. 2) the end of the plunger lies slightly above the lower edge of the slot II6 so that the lower end of the cylindrical bore I04 will be normally filled with lubricant. Upon downward movement of the plunger lubricant will be forced past the check valves I I2 and I36 through the passageway I40, conduit I42, passageway I46, and conduits I56, to the bearings to be lubricated. 0n the upward movement of the plunger a partial vacuum will be formed in the lower end of the cylindrical bore II4 so that lubricant will quickly flow into, this portion of the bore as soon as the plunger has been raised above the lower edge of the slot II6.

By turning the screw I8 so as to provide greater initial compression in the spring I2, the weight will be less sensitive to vibration and will require a greater vibration to move sufiiciently to cause operation of the pump plunger. Thus the pump unit may be adjusted to operate less frequently if a smaller quantity of lubricant is desired. The quantity of oil ejected by the pump may also be varied by adjustment of the screw 88. Raising or lowering this screw will vary the effective length of the plunger stroke and thus cause a lesser or greater quantity of lubricant to be ejected by the plunger upon oscillation of the weight 42 through a given distance.

While the pump is so constructed as to be extremely sensitive to vibrations, the parts are so arranged that the sensitive elements are not subjected to strain even though the pump be violently jarred. I

When the pump is used as a supply installation for a centralized chassis lubricating system of an automotive vehicle, the quantity of lubricant supplied is substantially in proportion to the amount of movement of the chassis bearings and the bearings are thus supplied with a quantity of lubricant proportionate to their requirements. The pump is of course entirely automatic in operation, the only attention required being refilling the reservoir at relatively infrequent intervals. The reservoir 24 being of glass, the time when refilling is necessary is conveniently ascertained.

The invention is capable of wide variation within equivalent limits and I contemplate such variation as may be desirable or useful in the particular adaptation of the invention shown, or in its adaptation to other apparatus. I do not restrict myself in any unessential particulars, but

what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A lubricant supply installation for lubricating systems, comprising a body casting, a reservoir secured to and depending from said casting, a tube secured to said casting and depending within said reservoir, a cylinder carried at the lower end of said tube, a check valve at the discharge end of said cylinder, a weight pivoted to said casting above said reservoir, a stem pivotally secured to said weight and extending downwardly into said tube, and a piston operable in said cylinder and pivotally connected to said stem.

2. In a lubricant supply installation, a bowlshaped lubricant receptacle, a supporting bracket secured over the top of said receptacle, said bracket having a passageway therein, a tube de-' pending into said receptacle and secured to said bracket, a pump mechanism carried by'the lower end of said tube, a conduit connecting the sageway, and inertia operated mechanism car- 'r-i ed by said bracket and operatively connected to said pump mechanism.

3L A lubricant supply installation for lubricating systems,comprising a body casting, a reservoir secured to and depending from said casting, a support secured to said casting and depending within said reservoir, a cylinder carried at the lower end of said support, a check valve at the discharge end of said cylinder, a pivoted weight mounted above said reservoir, a vertical wire stem having a horizontally bent upper end portion pivotally secured to said weight, said stem extending downwardly into said reservoir and having a lower horizontally bent end; portion, said'end i portion-s being perpendicular to each other, and a piston operable in said cylinder and pivotally connected to the lower end pcrtionof said stem;

42in a lubricant supply installation, a bowlshaped lubricant receptacle, a supporting bracket secured over the" topof said receptacle, said bracket having a passageway therein, a pump mechanism adjacent the bottom of said receptacle and carried by said bracket, a conduit connecting the discharge of said pump mechanism to. saidpassageway, and inertia operated mechanis'm c'arriedby said bracket and operatively connected to said pump mechanism.

5. A lubricant supply installation for lubricating systems, comprising an integral body casting, a plate hinged'to said casting, a laminated weight secured to said plate, a screw adjustable in said weight, aspring seat on said screw, a compression spring having one end abutting in said seat and the other resting upon said casting, a lubricant reservoir depending from said casting, and pump means. operated by pivotal movement of said weighttrelative to said:casting to force lubricant from said reservoir.

6.- A lubricant supply installation for lubricating systems, comprising an integralbody casting, bracket means forming an integral part of said casting, a pin supported in said casting, a plate hinged on said pin, a weight secured to said plate, a screw adjustable in said weight, said screw having a shoulder at its lower end, a spring seat cup fitting over the end of said screw against said shoulder, a compression spring having one end abutting in said cup, and the other end resting upon said casting, a lubricant reservoir depending from said casting, and pump means operated by pivotal movement of said weight relative to said casting to force lubricant from said reservoir. 7

7. A lubricant supply pump comprising a bracket, a reservoir depending from said bracket, a tube secured to said bracket and depending into said reservoir, a head closing the lower end of saidltube, a passageway extending through said head, a cylinder block threaded in said head and positioned within said tube, a plunger reciprocable in said cylinder block to force lubricant therefrom, and inertia operated means for reciprocating said plunger.

8. A pump and reservoir unit for centralized lubricating systems comprising a body, a reservoir depending therefrom, a plunger pump secured to said body and located adjacent the bottom of said reservoir, a weight pivotally connected to said body and universally connected to the plunger of said pump, compressible stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of said weight, a spring normally holding said weight intermediate said stop means, and means for varying the degree ofcompression of said-spring.

9. In a lubricant supply installation, the combination of a supporting bracket having a substantially horizontally extending portion, a bowlsnaped lubricant reservoir secured to and depending from said bracket, a member secured: to said supporting bracket and depending into said reservoir and carrying a pump cylinder at. its iower end, said cylinder having inlet. and discharge ports, a plunger reciprocable into said cylinder, motor means secured to said bracket, power transmission means connecting said motor means and said plunger, and a conduit connecting the discharge port of said pump with said bracket, said conduit having connection means at the end thereof adjacent said bracket for making connection with a conduit leading to bearings to be lubricated.

10. In a lubricant supply installation, the combination of a supporting bracket, a transparent glass bowl lubricant reservoir secured to and depending from said bracket, a pump and strainer assembly supported by said bracket and depending into said bowl, a discharge conduit for said pump secured to said bracket, pump operating motor means mounted above said supporting bracket, and a mechanical connection between said motor means and said pump.

11. In lubricating apparatus of the class described, the combination of a transparent reservoir, a supporting bracket forming a cover therefor, a depending supporting member, a cylinder supported by said member, said cylinder provided with an inlet and an outlet, a strainer interposed between said inlet and said reservoir, an outlet connection carried by said cover, conduit means connecting said outlet connection with said cylinder outlet, a small metallic piston reciprocable in said cylinder and forming a metal to metal seal therewith, a piston rod connected with said piston by a connection permitting relative angular movement, said piston rod extending through said cover, a spring for operating said piston in one direction, and automatic means for operating said piston in the opposite direction.

12. A lubricant supply installation for lubricating systems comprising a combined cap and bracket member adapted to be secured to the dashboard of an automobile, a transparent reservoir depending from said member, a pump supported by said member and positioned in said reservoir, a pump discharge conduit extending from said pump through said member to bearings to be lubricated, and a motor for said pump positioned in said combined cap and bracket member.

13. A lubricant supply pump comprising a bracket, a reservoir depending from said bracket, a tube secured to said bracket and depending into said reservoir, a head closing the lower end of said tube, a passageway extending through said head, a cylinder block threaded in said head and positioned within said tube, a plunger reciprocable in said cylinder block to force lubricant therefrom, and means for reciprocating said plunger positioned on said bracket.

14. A lubricant supply installation for lubricating systems, comprising an integral body casting, bracket means forming an integral part of said casting, a pin supported in said casting, a plate hingedon said pin, a weight secured to said plate, a screw adjustable in said weight, said screw having a shoulder at its lower end, a spring seat cup fitting over the end of said screw against said shoulder, a compression spring having one end abutting in said cup, and the other end resting upon said casting, a lubricant reservoir depending from said casting, pump means operated by pivotal movement of said weight relative to said casting to force lubricant from said reservoir, and a pump discharge conduit extending through said integral body casting,

15. In a lubricant supply installation, a bowlshaped lubricant receptacle, a supporting bracket secured over the top of said receptacle, said bracket having a passageway therein, a pump mechanism adjacent the bottom of said receptacle and carried by said bracket, a conduit connecting the discharge of said pump mechanism to said passageway, and power operated mecha nism carried by said bracket and operatively connected, to said pump mechanism.

16. A lubricant supply installation for lubricating systems comprising an integral body casting and support bracket, a transparent lubricant receptacle suspended therefrom, a pump mechanism suspended from said integral casting positioned adjacent the lower end of said receptacle, a chamber in the upper part of said casting, a motor for operating said pump mounted therein, and a transverse wall between said motor and said lubricant receptacle, said wall having an opening therein.

17. A lubricant supply installation comprising a bracket in the form of a cylindrical shell, a transverse wall medially in said bracket, means below said wall for frictionally engaging a lubricant reservoir, means above said wall for frictionally engaging a cap member, a pump mechanism positioned adjacent the lower end of said reservoir, a rigid support therefor secured to said wall, and a motor positioned above said wall and operatively connected to said pump through said rigid support.

18. A lubricant supply installation comprising a bracket in the form of a cylindrical shell, a transverse wall having vent openings therethrough medially in said bracket, means below said wall for frictionally engaging a lubricant reservoir, means above said wall for frictionally engaging a cap member, a pump mechanism positioned adjacent the lower end of said reservoir, a rigid support therefor secured to said wall, and a motor positioned above said wall and operatively connected to said pump through said rigid support.

19. In a combined pump and reservoir unit for a centralized lubricating system, the combination of an open-ended receptacle forming a lubricant reservoir, a cap member for said receptacle having means associated therewith for securing said receptacle to a support, a small diameter lubricant piunp secured to said cap member and disposed adjacent the bottom of said reservoir, a conduit including a passageway through said cap member for connecting the discharge outlet of said lubricant pump to a lubricant distributing system, a motor for operating said pump carried by said cap member on the upper side thereof, and an operating member universally connecting said motor with said pump for actuating the same.

20. In a combined pump and reservoir unit for a centralized chassis lubricating system, the combination of a transparent receptacle forming a lubricant reservoir, a cap therefor, a laterally extending bracket securing said receptacle and cap to a support, a member dependingly affixed to said cap carrying a pump cylinder at its lower end adjacent the bottom of said receptacle, said member constituting the sole support for said cylinder, a motor affixed to the upper side of said cap, a small diameter plunger reciprocable in said cylinder, an operating member universally connecting said motor to said plunger for discharging lubricant from said pump cylinder, and a conduit for conveying the lubricant discharged from said pump cylinder to a lubricant distributing system.

21. A pump installation for centralized lubricating systems comprising a cup-shaped glass bowl forming a lubricant reservoir, a cap secured thereto, means for securing said reservoir and cap to a support, motivating means carried by said cap and extending above said reservoir, a pump including a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, said pump cylinder being rigidly supported by said cap and located adjacent the bottom of said reservoir, a plunger reciprocable in said pump cylinder, an operating member universally connecting said motivating means and said plunger, a filter carried by said pump cylinder and disposed between the inlet port and the lubricant in said reservoir, and a conduit connected to the discharge port of said cylinder and passing through said cap for conveying lubricant from said pump to a lubricant distributing system.

22. In a combined pump and reservoir unit for a centralized lubricating system, of the class described, the combination of a glass reservoir, a top therefor, means for attaching said top to said reservoir, a laterally extending bracket for attaching said reservoir and top to a support, operating means carried by said top, said operating means including a small pump located adjacent the bottom of said reservoir, a motor extending above said top and means connecting said pump with said motor, said top having a substantially centrally located opening through which part of said operating means extends, said motor including a spring and means for adjusting the tension thereof, a strainer associated with said pump, and a discharge conduit for said pump leading upwardly therefrom to a point above said glass reservoir.

23. In a combined pump and reservoir unit for a centralized lubricating system, the combination of an open-ended receptacle forming a lubricant reservoir, a member overlying the open end of said receptacle, means for attaching said member to said receptacle, a bracket for carrying said member and said receptacle, a pump unit depending from said member and located adjacent the bottom of said reservoir, said pump unit including a cylinder, a small rod-like plunger reciprocable therein, and inlet and outlet ports, a strainer for said inlet port, said member having a passageway therethrough, a pipe connecting said outlet port with said passageway, a motor supported by said member and extending thereabove, and a connection between said pump and said motor.

24. In a combined pump and reservoir unit for a centralized lubricating system, the combination of an open-ended transparent receptacle forming ameter plunger reciprocable therein, and inlet and outlet ports, a strainer supported adjacent said inlet port, a check valve for said outlet port, said member having a passageway therethrough terminating in a fitting adapted for connection to the conduit of a centralized lubricating system, a pipe connecting said outlet port with said passageway, a motor carried by said member and extending thereabove, said motor including a reciprocable element and a spring tending to move said element in one direction, a universally flexible connection between said motor and said plunger, said member having a filling opening therethrough, and a cover normally closing said opening.

.' ERNEST W. DAVIS. 

